The Covid-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of daily life. But it has not changed the beautiful weather, lovely vistas, nor community spirit that have made the Tri-Valley a popular place to call home. The summer of 2020 looks somewhat different than last year's when it comes to public events and group activities. Still, there are a host of local activities and resources to help to make this a safe and memorable season.

Outdoor Activities

Time spent in nature is not only appealing; it is also important. "People need parks, now more than ever, as they are viewed as essential for public health and wellness, especially stress relief," according to officials of the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD). "Current state and local Stay-at-Home orders allow for 'outdoor recreation activities' as an 'essential activity' as long as social distancing requirements are followed. Additionally, local health agencies have asked the Park District to keep parks open as much as possible."

To limit unsafe overcrowding and maintain social distancing, the EBRPD has temporarily closed some parks and parking lots and/or staging areas. Many parks and trails remain accessible for walking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding, however. At this writing they include the Castleridge Trailhead and Foothill Road Park entrances for Pleasanton Ridge Park; the staging area for Tassajara Creek Trail Park, near Dublin; and the Sherburne Hills Road and Holbrook Drive staging areas for Sycamore Valley Park, near Danville.

Picnic fans will appreciate the Tri-Valley To Go list of open restaurants, breweries, and wineries that has been compiled by Visit Tri-Valley. These establishments sell take-out food, deliver it, and/or provide patio service. Visit Tri-Valley's Instagram page is worth visiting as well for daily updates, specials, and discounts. On Saturdays, picnic provisions can also be bought at local farmers' markets.

Shopping at a farmers' market not only gives you access to fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and more but also provides support to local farmers and ranchers. The Pleasanton Farmers' Market is open on Saturdays. The general public is welcome between 9 am and 1 pm, while seniors and those facing a higher risk from Covid are invited to shop between 8 and 9 am. Dublin's Farmers' Market is open on Thursdays, between 4 and 8 pm, and Danville's is held on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.

The area's summer treats go beyond parks and picnics. If you always wanted to go to a drive-in but never got the chance, there is good news. This month the Alameda County Fairgrounds began hosting a summer drive-in every Friday and Saturday night (except the Fourth of July holiday) until July 25. Jurassic Park is showing on June 19, followed by Grease on June 20.

Attendees pay online for a parking ticket (one per car). In return, they enjoy the drive-in movie experience plus receive one General Admission ticket to next summer's 2021 Alameda County Fair. The Fairgrounds is also hosting Grab-N-Go Food Trucks on Fridays and Saturdays between 5 and 9 pm until August 1 (apart from the July 4). Moreover, the BMX park, skateparks, and Callippe Preserve Golf Course in Pleasanton have all reopened with safety guidelines.

Online Explorations

Not everyone can leave their homes to participate in outdoor activities or explore the Tri-Valley. Luckily, several resourceful organizations have provided new venues for learning about the community and new ways to enjoy summer activities. Two local museums, for example, are engaging residents in different ways.

The collection of Pleasanton's Museum on Main contains more than 3,500 photographs and almost 2,500 other documents related to the area. Its photographs document life in the Tri-Valley from the 1850s up to the present day. The museum recently began posting examples of different interactive books on its website each Friday. These books, which cover a wide range of topics, can be viewed on a tablet, smartphone, or computer and "depict a more intimate and personal Pleasanton history through the hundreds of images they share," according to museum officials.

The Museum of the San Ramon Valley in Danville will present a "virtual brunch" on Thursday, June 18 at noon. The free program, Highway 21 to Interstate 680: The History of the Road that Connects Us, will be presented by local historian Steve Minniear. Attendees must register on the website prior to the program to get a link to the event and are encouraged to pick up food at a local restaurant as part of the event, which will include maps, photos, and a discussion of the history of Interstate 680, from its use as a trail by Native Americans to its current status. The museum will also hold a virtual fundraising gala on Saturday, July 19 at 6 pm. The online event will include classroom experiences, youth games, and a silent auction.

The City of Pleasanton has created a Virtual Library & Recreation Center featuring a selection of free applications, online services, and quality content that visitors can access from home. Regardless of age, visitors will find something appealing. The center includes storytimes with Pleasanton librarians, cooking videos, trivia games and quizzes, and bilingual programs and activities. Storytimes have been posted in Hindi, Russian, and Spanish. There's a virtual tour of the Alviso Adobe Community Park and lots of how-to videos.

Visitors to the Virtual Library & Recreation Center will also find Pleasanton's first ever Virtual Rose Show, which was a response to the cancellation of the 80th annual Pleasanton Rose Show earlier. Locals helped keep the spirit of the Rose Show alive this year by submitting photos for the virtual show. Now people the world over, as well as residents, can enjoy 62 pages of beautiful images of different rose types, including Angel Face, Brandy, Purple Tiger, and Sutter's Gold. The Virtual Rose Show is just one example of how the community has responded with grace and creativity to this challenging time and ensured that residents will be able to find fun and enjoyment during this special summer.

For more information about the East Bay Regional Park District, please visit www.ebparks.org.

To keep up to date on park closures, please visit www.ebparks.org/news/covid_19_park_and_trail_updates.htm or the interactive EBRPD map at www.gis.ebparks.org/public/parksmobile.

For more information about Tri-Valley to Go, please visit www.visittrivalley.com/2020/03/take-out-tri-valley.

For more information about Tri-Valley farmers' markets, please visit www.pcfma.org.

For more information about events at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, please visit www.alamedacountyfair.com.

For more information about open venues in the City of Pleasanton, please visit www.covid19.cityofpleasantonca.gov/index.html.

To see the Museum on Main's books, please visit www.museumonmain.org/growing-pleasanton.html#.

For more information about the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, please visit www.museumsrv.org.

For more information about the City of Pleasanton's Virtual Library & Recreation Center, please visit www.admin.cityofpleasantonca.gov/gov/depts/cs/virtual_recreation_center.asp.